In a significant move to foster female empowerment through technology and renewable energy, the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation has provided 70 young women in Ibadan with laptops and personal solar systems. The initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, is designed to equip a new generation with the tools necessary for educational advancement and economic independence.
During the closing ceremony of the foundation’s Summer Bootcamp, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu underscored the critical link between economic disenfranchisement and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She argued that by providing girls with tangible assets and skills, the initiative directly confronts feminised poverty, reducing their vulnerability to violence. This approach is particularly vital in sectors like renewable energy, where women are often underrepresented. For instance, in some developed solar markets, women constitute as little as 1-3% of field installation roles, highlighting a global need for programs that introduce young women to opportunities in clean energy.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu also framed the project within the broader context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint for a sustainable future adopted in 2015. The donation directly supports several key goals, including Quality Education (SDG 4), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Climate Action (SDG 13). By making SDG education a core component of its bootcamps since 2017, BEMORE ensures participants understand how local actions contribute to worldwide progress. The transformative power of small-scale solar is seen globally; in rural areas like Uganda, for example, a single solar panel can revolutionize a farm’s productivity and a family’s livelihood, demonstrating the profound impact of accessible clean energy.
The sentiment was echoed by Prof. Jacinta Opara, Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University and the event’s Chairperson. She urged the girls to view themselves as the “architects of their own futures,” encouraging them to leverage their newfound knowledge in technology and sustainable energy to unlock limitless potential. Prof. Opara emphasized that these skills are crucial for contributing to the development of Nigeria and the world at large.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu concluded by encouraging the graduates to become ambassadors of their knowledge, sharing what they learned with peers in their communities. The donated home solar systems serve not just as practical tools but as symbols of a brighter, more sustainable, and empowered future for young women across Nigeria.
Sources of BEMORE Donated Home Solar Systems to 70 Girls
- Growing the Number of Female Installers Op-Ed Explainer
- Local Action, Countywide Impact – Sustainable Westchester
- A Ugandan Farmer’s Success, Powered by the Sun
